The Conquistadors

Los conquistadores

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Abbreviated Cultural Note

The Conquistadors

The conquistadors were Spanish explorers and warriors who successfully conquered much of America in the 16th century. Hernán Cortés, in 1519, led 400 men against Aztec Mexico, eventually conquering the capital city of Tenochtitlán (now Mexico City). In 1524, Pedro de Alvarado led a successful invasion against the Mayan empire, in what is now Guatemala. Francisco Pizzaro led a force of 180 men and 37 horses against the great Inca civilization in Peru, capturing the capital of Cuzco in 1533. There were many other conquistadors. These are three of the most famous.